In our world, there is so much sorrow, misery, and sadness.

We see indicators all around us that reveal to us that most people are looking for something,

anything, that can bring them true joy. In this study on joy,

Scott Pauley will take us to God's Word and help us discover the source of true, lasting joy.

And as we study the Bible together, we will find that God's joy is readily available to us

through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Places do not bring joy. People do. So you may be in the most beautiful place on

earth, but the place is empty. The place is not nearly as wonderful

as if you had people there with you who love you and people that you love. Recently, we

had a little trip together with our family, and we spent several days together, and we enjoyed

the place where we were, but we especially enjoyed

one another. There's something about being in the presence of those you love. Well, if that's true

humanly, how much more is that a reality in the presence of God? We return today to the Psalms,

to Psalm 16, to learn something about the joy of God's presence.

And I'm just going to testify for a moment and tell you, there is no joy like being consciously

in the presence of God. Now, we are in the presence of God because God is everywhere.

If you're a believer, you are in the presence of God because he promised he would never leave you nor forsake you.

If you know Christ is your Savior, you will be in the presence of God forever someday.

We have that to look forward to.

But I'm talking about living consciously each day in God's presence.

Practicing, as they used to say of old, practicing

the presence of God. There's a definite joy there. There's a verse I want you to see in Psalm 16

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